Windows Home Server

Windows Home Server is a Microsoft operating system, which was announced on 7 January 2007 at the Consumer Electronics Show ( CES) by Bill Gates. It is shipped to distributors and is also available as OEM version. According to the manufacturer the product is to make advanced features such as file sharing, automated backups also technically less savvy people possible. It also aims to ensure secure access to the data from outside your home network. Early 2011, the successor version was released with the name Windows Home Server 2011.

Software - based

The Windows Home Server is based on Windows Server 2003 SP2 kernel. This makes it very stable, since the actual home server is just an essay. Important difference to the server 2003 is the setup that runs on the familiar Windows Vista Windows PE. Further, it is possible by the joint base, to use the same driver. Even Windows XP drivers can be exploited.

Hardware Requirements

Functions

  • Centralized data storage - It can collect data from up to 10 PCs are backed up, each file is backed up only once, even if it exists on multiple PCs.
  • Status indicator - are centrally monitored the status of the devices connected to the home server PC, including the firewall and anti -virus software state.
  • Exchange files - network shares for common, and provided frequently used files such as MP3s and videos, which saves through the centralized storage space.
  • Printer Sharing - The print jobs of all users can be managed centrally.
  • Previous Versions - development of "Volume Shadow Copy Services ," it can now older versions of files to be restored.
  • " Headless Device" - are neither screen, graphics card and keyboard used to operate the home server, because it can be about the so-called " Home Server Console" either from a connected PC or remotely from the Internet.
  • "Remote Access Gateway " - Allows access from outside to all the PCs on the network.
  • Media Streaming - By "Windows Media Connect" allows media files directly to devices that support Windows Media Connect (for example Xbox 360), can be transmitted.
  • Data Security - By duplication of files on different disks to limit the likelihood of data loss can be reduced. However, this brings about driver could cause even data loss. The problem was fixed with the update " Home Server Power Pack 1".
  • Through the use of a memory pools the need to drive letter is removed, resulting in a simpler handling of the Windows Home Server when adding hard drives.

Remote Access

The system also offers an SSL - encrypted web interface, which can be used over the Internet. For this a free Web address is provided, which includes an arbitrary prefix, followed by a period and the suffix homeserver.com. About the Web Interface files can be downloaded and up and you can control the server and also the PCs in the home network via the web browser, if a Remote Desktop Protocol server is running on the target system. Therefore, 7 Professional or 8 per provided for the remote control on the target system at least Windows XP Professional, Vista Business.

Compatibility

The features of Windows Home Server to be integrated by installing a software, the Windows Home Server Connector in Windows XP, Windows Vista, and, since the Power Pack 3, also in Windows 7. The provision of data in a Windows share allows access from almost any operating system.

Add-Ins

About one provided by Microsoft interface, extensions Windows Home Server, so-called add-ins that are developed by other software vendors and made available. It is generally especially the client part, enhances the Windows Home Server Console, where there on a new tab new functionality is made available, eg from a PC, the other to go up or down or to view the event log of the server processed.

Successor

On 29 March 2011 the successor to Microsoft Windows Home Server 2011 was completed. It is available on TechNet and MSDN or as an OEM device on the market.

Official, Microsoft recommended communities

  • Home Server Blog ( German )
  • MSWHS ( English )
  • We Got Served ( English )
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